Monkey bread Recipe

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe – Soft, Gooey Pull-Apart Cinnamon Bread

For breakfast, bread is the first preference for most people, especially health-conscious individuals who prefer homemade bread. To be honest, homemade bread is a bit more delicious and moist, which I really love. Today I’ve brought you a homemade monkey bread recipe that is quick, foolproof, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This easy monkey bread recipe is the ultimate comfort food — soft, sticky, buttery, and made to be pulled apart piece by piece.

Made with refrigerated biscuit dough, coated in cinnamon sugar, and baked in a Bundt pan with a rich brown sugar butter glaze, this pull-apart bread recipe delivers bakery-style results with minimal effort. What makes this recipe stand out is its balance of ease, flavor, and reliability. There’s no yeast, no kneading, and no advanced baking skills required — making it ideal for beginners while still impressive enough for special occasions.

You can call this recipe cinnamon monkey bread, sticky pull-apart bread, or Bundt pan dessert; its special features are its soft center, caramelized edges, and gooey texture. So, without further ado, let’s learn the best monkey bread recipe that you can easily bake at home. This is one of my favorite holiday brunch recipes.


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Monkey bread is a soft, sticky, and incredibly delicious sweet bread that is meant to be pulled apart into small pieces. It’s made by baking small pieces of cinnamon-sugar-coated dough together in a Bundt pan with a rich brown sugar butter glaze. It’s designed to be eaten by pulling it apart with your fingers—no knife required—which is why it’s often called “pull-apart bread” or “sticky bread.”

Most easy monkey bread recipes use refrigerated biscuit dough, making it a quick and easy breakfast bread. It requires no yeast, kneading, or advanced baking skills. The result is a bakery-style treat that tastes amazing but is surprisingly easy for even beginners to make.


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👩‍🍳 Step-By-Step Instructions: Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prepare the Bundt Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is ideal for baking soft, gooey monkey bread without drying it out. Generously grease a Bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray, making sure every curve is coated. This prevents sticking and helps the pull-apart bread release cleanly after baking.

Greasing bundt pan for monkey bread recipe

Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This classic combination creates the signature flavor of cinnamon sugar monkey bread and delivers that irresistible sweet breakfast bread aroma while baking.

Cinnamon sugar mixture for homemade monkey bread

Step 3: Cut and Coat the Biscuit Dough

Cut each biscuit into bite-sized pieces. Add them to the cinnamon sugar mixture and toss gently until every piece is fully coated. This step is key for achieving that sticky, caramelized pull-apart texture that makes homemade monkey bread so popular for holiday breakfasts and brunch recipes.

Coating biscuit dough with cinnamon sugar

Step 4: Layer Dough in the Pan

Evenly layer the coated dough pieces inside the prepared Bundt pan. If you’re adding optional ingredients like nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips, sprinkle them between layers. This creates a more flavorful pull-apart bread recipe with texture in every bite.

Layering monkey bread dough in bundt pan

Step 5: Make the Brown Sugar Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in brown sugar. Heat just until the sugar dissolves and the sauce becomes glossy. This rich glaze is what gives monkey bread its gooey center and caramel flavor.

Brown sugar butter sauce for monkey bread

Step 6: Pour Sauce Over Dough

Carefully pour the warm brown sugar butter sauce evenly over the dough. Make sure the sauce reaches the bottom of the pan so every piece bakes into a soft, sticky, pull-apart dessert. This step is essential for a truly bakery-style monkey bread.

Pouring brown sugar sauce over monkey bread dough

Step 7: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil. Proper baking ensures the inside stays soft and fluffy while the outside caramelizes, making this one of the most reliable easy monkey bread recipes.

Golden baked monkey bread fresh from oven

Step 8: Rest, Invert & Serve Warm

Let the monkey bread rest for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving plate. Serving warm delivers the best texture and flavor. This pull-apart cinnamon bread is perfect for Christmas morning, weekend brunch, potlucks, and family gatherings.

Pull apart monkey bread ready to serve

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Monkey Bread Variations (Easy, Trending & Crowd-Favorite Ideas)

🍩 Classic Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread

This is the most loved monkey bread variation and the version everyone knows and loves. Soft biscuit dough pieces are coated in cinnamon sugar and baked in a rich brown sugar butter sauce.

🍎 Apple Pie Monkey Bread

Add small chunks of apple, apple pie spice, and a drizzle of caramel to create a dessert-style monkey bread that tastes like warm apple pie. This is perfect recipe for fall, Thanksgiving, and holiday seasons.

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread

This seasonal favorite uses pumpkin spice seasoning and a hint of pumpkin puree for a cozy, autumn-inspired breakfast bread.

🍫 Chocolate Chip Monkey Bread

For an even more delicious option, sprinkle chocolate chips between the dough layers. The result is a gooey, shareable dessert monkey bread that works perfectly for parties, kids’ breakfasts, and late-night sweet cravings.

🥐 Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Swap biscuit dough for cinnamon roll dough to create a bakery-style cinnamon roll monkey bread. Finish with cream cheese icing.

🧀 Savory Monkey Bread (Cheese & Garlic)

Monkey bread doesn’t have to be sweet. This savory version uses garlic butter, cheese, and herbs, making it a perfect appetizer, party bread, or game-day snack.


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🍽️ Serving Ideas for Monkey Bread Recipe

☕ Classic Breakfast or Brunch Spread

Serve warm homemade monkey bread alongside freshly brewed coffee, cappuccino, or latte. Add scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, or yogurt for a balanced breakfast bread recipe that works beautifully for weekend brunch, Mother’s Day, or casual get-togethers.

🎄 Holiday Morning Centerpiece

Place the monkey bread in the center of your table for Christmas morning, Thanksgiving brunch, or Easter breakfast. Its pull-apart style makes it one of the loved holiday breakfast breads and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for family celebrations.

🍨 Dessert-Style Monkey Bread

Serve it with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a caramel or cream cheese glaze to transform it into a wonderful and easy dessert recipe. It’s perfect for dinner parties, potlucks, and festive evenings.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Style Sharing Bread

Monkey bread is made for sharing. Serve it straight from the plate and let everyone pull apart their own piece. This makes it ideal for kids, family breakfasts, and easy brunch ideas for a crowd.

🥳 Party & Potluck Favorite

Bringing a dish to a party? Monkey bread travels well and reheats easily. It’s one of the best make-ahead breakfast and dessert recipes for potlucks, office events, and celebrations.


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Frequently Asked Questions About Monkey Bread

What is monkey bread made of? +
Monkey bread is made using small pieces of dough (usually biscuit dough), coated in cinnamon sugar, then baked with a buttery brown sugar glaze. This easy monkey bread recipe creates a soft, gooey pull-apart bread that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Why is it called monkey bread? +
Monkey bread gets its name from the way it’s eaten—people pull off pieces with their fingers, similar to how monkeys eat. It’s also known as pull-apart bread, sticky bread, or cinnamon bubble bread in different regions.
Can I make monkey bread without a Bundt pan? +
Yes, you can make homemade monkey bread without a Bundt pan. A loaf pan, cake pan, or even a deep oven-safe dish works well. Just ensure even layering so the cinnamon sugar monkey bread bakes evenly.
Is monkey bread a breakfast or dessert? +
Monkey bread is both a breakfast bread recipe and a dessert. It’s commonly served for Christmas morning, holiday brunch, weekend breakfasts, and potlucks. Its sweet, buttery flavor makes it a crowd-pleasing treat anytime.
Can monkey bread be made ahead of time? +
Yes, monkey bread can be prepared ahead of time. Assemble it the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake fresh in the morning for the best texture. This makes it an excellent make-ahead breakfast recipe for busy mornings.
Why is my monkey bread dry? +
Dry monkey bread usually happens from overbaking or not using enough butter and brown sugar sauce. For gooey monkey bread, bake just until golden and always allow the bread to rest before flipping it out of the pan.
Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuit dough? +
Absolutely. While biscuit dough makes this an easy monkey bread recipe, you can use homemade yeast dough or pizza dough. Just cut it into bite-size pieces and coat thoroughly for best pull-apart results.
How do you store leftover monkey bread? +
Store leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for one day or in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat briefly to restore the soft, sticky texture.
Can monkey bread be frozen? +
Yes, monkey bread freezes very well. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight and warm before serving. Freezing makes it ideal for meal prep and holiday planning.
Is monkey bread good for parties and holidays? +
Monkey bread is one of the best party and holiday brunch recipes. It’s shareable, visually appealing, and loved by both kids and adults—making it perfect for Christmas breakfast, Thanksgiving brunch, and family gatherings.

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